Kawakami was stunned when he heard that; was this asking him to simulate a game scenario?
Phew~
Runners on first and second meant that if this ball was hit, it could easily lead to bases loaded, and perhaps even a run scored.
And no outs, plus two balls!
Imagining himself standing on the mound, facing a situation where losing one run meant extra innings and losing two runs meant defeat, Kawakami's palms began to sweat.
What should he do?
Kawakami looked at Kominato Ryosuke opposite him. He had seen Kominato-senpai's batting before. Although he didn't have the power for extreme hits, that was relative—against weaker pitchers, Kominato had hit long shots.
The most crucial point was pitch selection; Kominato was an extremely troublesome batter.
"Kanzaki Ryou, you're so cruel," Isashiki suddenly said.
Kanzaki Ryou smiled and shook his head. "This is just the beginning. If Kawakami can develop a strong heart, he will definitely contribute to the team."
"You really think highly of him," Isashiki said.
In terms of personality, Isashiki didn't really like timid guys. In contrast, although Kanzaki Ryou was excessively arrogant, Isashiki often bickered with him, but the two clearly got along better.
"Well, Isashiki-senpai, you don't just want to go to Koshien to see the scenery, do you?" Kanzaki Ryou turned his head and looked at Isashiki Jun seriously.
Isashiki's eyes burst forth with fiery passion. "Of course not! I want to win the championship! Seidou must be the champion!"
"Then that's it. This year's pitcher's mound isn't a big problem. With Senior Nanjo and Tanba, plus me, there won't be any major issues."
"But what about next year? If it's just me and Tanba, even if we make it to Koshien, we won't go far."
After Kanzaki Ryou finished speaking, Isashiki stared at him blankly. "No, I thought you were talking about this year? You're already thinking about next year?"
"This year? Seidou will definitely be the champion! I said it—even if the Emperor comes, it's useless!"
"Haha, your mouth is bigger than my athlete's foot," Isashiki retorted mercilessly.
"Well, but if you can really do it, this great one will definitely perform to support you. That's a promise from your Senior!"
Kanzaki Ryou let out an "oh." "Then Senior's batting needs to be strengthened. The pitchers who can enter Koshien are all formidable. Senior won't be completely unable to get on base, will he? If that's the case, I will laugh out loud in front of everyone."
Isashiki's face grew darker, his body trembling with extreme Angry.
"Kanzaki Ryou, you idiot!" Isashiki lunged forward with bared fangs and claws, pinning Kanzaki Ryou to the ground. "You annoying brat, let me teach you a good lesson today!"
"Ah, Jun-san, didn't you eat dinner tonight?"
"Huh? Arrogant guy!"
"Ahaha~~"
While they bickered, Kawakami had already thrown the first pitch to Kominato Ryosuke.
Bang!
With a crisp sound, Kawakami's sinker was caught and hit squarely by Kominato Ryosuke.
"It's a line drive towards center field. If it were a bit more accurate, I could have hit a home run," Kominato Ryosuke said, watching the ball's trajectory.
Kawakami was speechless. How could Kominato-senpai say such terrifying words so gently?
What do you mean, "you could have"? Is he saying my pitches are easy to hit?
Although Kawakami was a little afraid of his Senior, he wouldn't back down. The next pitch, he promised himself, would not be hit.
"Kawakami, bases are loaded."
Just as Kawakami braced to pitch, Kanzaki Ryou, still pinned to the ground by Isashiki, shouted in the interim.
"I know," Kawakami replied, speechless. You're so busy, and you're still paying attention to this side?
Taking another deep breath, Kawakami threw his most practiced pitch.
Bang!
Another solid hit.
"You hit it again," Kominato Ryosuke smiled.
This pitch was a Slider. Kawakami's delivery had been too predictable, directly caught and hit by Kominato.
"Kawakami, what do you mean by throwing down the middle? Are you looking down on your Senior? Why can't you be trickier?" Kanzaki Ryou's voice came from behind, and Kawakami's face turned green.
"Kominato-senpai, Kawakami looks down on you!"
"I didn't!" Kawakami quickly denied. This person is impossible… how can he trick me like this?
"Hehe, you've given up a run," Kanzaki Ryou said.
Kawakami froze. Yes, he'd given up a run. If he gave up another, the simulation would be a loss. He didn't want to fail.
The pitch has to be trickier. I have to trust myself. I can do this!
Still a Slider, but this time Kawakami aimed for the outside corner instead of the middle.
Kominato Ryosuke's brows furrowed. He swung, hitting the top of the ball, creating a grounder rolling toward first base.
He was out. Kawakami felt a surge of relief.
Then Kominato spoke again, "It'll be a tag out. Can't get on base."
"Eh?" Kawakami only reacted now.
"One out," Kominato said, holding up a finger.
Kawakami nodded heavily, secretly rejoicing.
Then Kanzaki Ryou walked to stand opposite Kawakami.
"Come on, Kawakami, throw it so I can hit it hard!"
Kanzaki Ryou's shout pulled Kawakami back to reality. Facing a same-grade opponent like him, Kawakami dared not be careless.
In the Spring Metropolitan Tournament, four at-bats: two home runs, two hits. If he didn't pitch well now, he would probably be shattered.
How should I pitch? Kawakami pondered, freezing for a moment.
"What's wrong? Scared?" Kanzaki Ryou teased.
Kawakami said nothing, only silently lifted his leg. A sinker aimed for the inside corner flew toward Kanzaki Ryou, its trajectory tricky.
Kanzaki Ryou swung, hitting the top of the ball heavily. It rolled toward Kawakami, who caught it steadily in his glove.
Uh…
Kanzaki Ryou froze for two seconds. His luck was impeccable.
"Hey, Kanzaki Ryou, you're out."
Kawakami was in high spirits. He hadn't expected the ball Kanzaki Ryou hit to roll directly to him.
"You're good!"
Kanzaki Ryou left his position, bat in hand. This meant Kawakami had secured two outs. Just then, Yuki, who had been practicing alone, walked over.
Kawakami froze. No… are they really doing this?
"Next, your opponent is me," Yuki said calmly, a blue aura bursting from his body.
Kanzaki Ryou's mouth twisted in a smile. "Go, Kawakami, I'm rooting for you."
I beg you not to root for me, Kawakami wailed internally.
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